Think of
“Superstar” Rajinikanth and immediately his “style” comes to mind , be it
smoking a cigarette, chewing gum, tossing a coin or just delivering a “punch”
dialogue. He has developed a unique “method” that even acting Coaches like
Stanislavsky or Lee Strasberg would not have thought of. Everything he says or
does on screen is watched in awe by millions and that is what makes him a
“superstar” – the uncrowned “Pasha” of Indian Cinema – yes , Indian and not
Tamil. At an award fuction Shahrukh Khan asked him – “when will I become the
Basha ?” Rajini calmly replied – “wait, your day will come”. Years
ago an email did the rounds where his “punch” dialogues were interpreted as
“Management tips”. This was even brought out as a book ( by my friend P.C.Bala of Matrix.) . The problem with all this is
that the Dialogues were not his own words, but those of a “writer” or a Director – just
that, his delivery immortalized those words –

I have had
the pleasure and the privilege of interacting with him both socially and
professionally and found that he adopts many practices that are excellent for
any “Leader” to adopt. I will add that it is something that every human being
should adopt. I have here mentioned just
five lessons – you can call them Panja Thanthra …..

Lesson 1.

It was
December 1994 and one night I sat down to watch the film “Raghavendra” on Video
, by the time I finished it was around 2 AM. I must add that I had not watched
the film earlier. The film made a deep impact on me and I went into the “Pooja
“ room to sit and meditate , when I opened my eyes I realized that there was no
picture of Raghavendra Swamy in my Pooja. A thought came to me like a flash –
“Get the Picture from the person responsible for this experience”. I was just a
few years old in the Industry ( my first film was Idhayam im 1991) and wondered how to contact Rajini.
Fortuitously my house is opposite the Studio of Dr. S.V.Ramanan , a good friend
of Rajini , in fact his son in law Ravi Raghavendar is Mrs.Latha Rajinikanth’s
brother.

I approached Dr. S.V.Ramanan with this story
and he promised to help. Within a few weeks I was invited for a “Pongal” dinner
at Dr.Ramanan’s and around midnight The Superstar landed up. He joined us in
the celebrations as his film “Basha” had released earlier that day to a
thunderous welcome by both fans and critics. Rajini was in a very happy frame
of mind. The evening went on and I did a little bit of my M.R.Radha mimicry
which Rajini enjoyed. Dr.Ramanan called me aside and told the Superstar that I
have a request. I narrated the incident and he listened politely and said “I
will do something Mohan”. As soon as the Pongal holidays were over I got a call
from his office when I was dubbing in the Kavithalaya Studios for a serial and they
wanted to know if I would be available at my residence. I told them that I
would be at home after lunch. An autorickshaw ( private) pulled up and a young
man dressed in spotless white got down with a neatly wrapped parcel. He said
his name was Jayaram ( he later joined Vijay as his personal touch up) from
Rajini Sir’s office and that he had a Parcel for me from Rajini Sir.

I thanked
him and also asked him to convey my thanks to the Superstar. I opened the
parcel and it was a beautifully framed picture of Raghavendra Swamy with a note
that said “Love, Rajini”. He had made a promise late at night to someone who
was and is some 10 rungs lower than him in the hierarchy and yet remembered the
promise. I was taken aback by this gesture of his and to this day the picture
adorns my Pooja Room.

The lesson – Promise
what you can Deliver and Deliver what you Promise.

Lesson 2

Years later
we were shooting for Kuselan at the Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad. Every evening
Rajini wanted all of us , his colleagues, to take a brisk walk from the
location which was a good 3 or 4 Kms away to the Hotel. When some people
expressed that they did not bring their walking shoes, he immediately had it
bought and given to them. On days when his portions were over by lunch time , he would go to his room and
come back to the location to join the group in walking. He never missed a
single day’s walk. He is a tremendously fast walker and many found it tough to
keep pace with him so he would walk ahead a few minutes walk back ( actually walk
back ie walk in reverse – he said it develops a different set of Muscles ) and
join us thus getting his exercise and still not “deserting” the rest. He would
regale us with anecdotes and stories but not once will a word that is harsh or
critical come out of his mouth even for humour.

Lesson – Set
an example with impactful action , ensure your “Team” is well equipped and even
though you may be far ahead of your Team do not leave them behind but walk hand
in hand and take every last person across the finishing post.

Lesson 3

During the
shoot of Kuselan in Ramoji Film City Hyderabad. As we sat waiting for a shot he
will join the rest of the group and not sit in the air-conditioned comfort of
his caravan. In fact even when his shot was due only around 11 he will come at
9 , with make up. When the Director asked him to relax , he said , what will I
do , staring at the 4 walls , at least here I have my friends and we can sit
and chat. In fact he would barely speak , but allow all to speak, intently
listening to what each and everyone had to say. Any time he had a doubt or
clarification he would ask and when he spoke it will be obvious that he has
listened to what everyone had to say. It was also clear that when someone
started to praise him or eulogise him he did not welcome it and would quickly
change the topic.

Lesson –
LISTEN to what people have to say. Don’t Listen to just reply to them but to
understand them.

Lesson 4

Once we were both sitting and waiting for our shot . Each time someone came, he would stand up and wish them – with
both hands folded in a Namaskaram and sit down. As I was sitting with him I too
was forced to stand up every time and sit down.

I asked him
how he was able to patiently do this as I had counted him getting up and
sitting down at least 15-20 times in an hour. His answer was “Is it not Respect
(mariyadhai) ? they are coming all the way to wish me , anyway it is good exercise ..if you do it then this ( pointing
to my large belly ) will not be there” – Then came his characteristic laugh. On
a serious note he asked me “ Have you visited Saravanan Sir ( AVM) in his
Office ? Such a big man , he will always stand up and receive you . I learnt
this from him.”

I have also
noticed that he always makes it a point to walk up to your Car and see you off
whenever you visit his house. Again a practice he seems to have picked up from
Mr.Saravanan. This has happened to me whenever I visited him.

Here allow
me to digress – This was in April 1993 – the preview of the film Kalaignan. It
was my 2nd or 3rd film and I had not yet turned a
professional actor. I had a small role in it as a Psychiatrist. After the
preview Sivaji Sir , came out and got into his car , I went to see him off , he
called me and asked me – Did I not see you in the film ? I nodded. He went on –
“ You are a well educated boy from a highly respectable family , If you are
planning to take this up as a career , let me give you one piece of advice – If
you give my profession Respect – it will give you lifelong Respect” (Nee en
thozhilukku mariyaadhai kuduththa adhu unakku ennaikkum mariyadhai kudukkum).

See how
great minds think alike !!!

Lesson – Only
when you give Respect will you get Respect.

Lesson 5

One day many
of us were waiting , Mr.K.Balachander, our Guru too had come there. The group
had Prabhu , Vijayakumar , Nizhalgal Ravi , Madan Bob , Manobala to name a few.
Rajini asked us if any of us had a nice “Punch” dialogue as he was supposed to
say a line. Many people suggested lines but none impressed him.

I often use in
my Corporate Training sessions a speech by him on “Sankhya Yoga and Director Shankar” - in it he said – If you retain everything you eat in your body your health
will get spoilt, If you retain everything you earn , your life will get spoilt”.
I reminded him of this line in private and he was very excited, quickly called
the Director Mr P.Vasu , who immediately approved it. He asked me to repeat it again and the Assistant Director to note it down.

After completing the shot
, he came back to join the group which had grown to about 30 of us and
profusely praised and Thanked me for the “Punch” line. He repeated the line for the benefit of all and said - Nalla Illa ? Mohan Ram Sonnaaru , I immediately pointed out that it was his
line and not my original to which he replied "so what , you are the person who reminded me of it and it
is to your credit that these lines are now in the film" . In an assembly of
colleagues and Directors to give me such credit and praise was truly magnanimous of him.

Lesson –
Thank people and praise them this will get you their eternal loyalty. Be
generous in your praise and miserly in your criticism.

Many
Happy Returns Dear “Pasha” – your every action is a lesson and inspiration for
many of us. May your leadership “style” enhance the quality of life of many
more like me.

In
case you are wondering about the last paragraph. This was written by me for the
Hindu – they brought out a Rajinikanth special supplement on 12/12/2012 which was sold seperately.

This is the un edited
“full version” , to which I have even added some material and elaborated a bit.

There are many more things that we can learn from people like the Superstar and
I am fortunate to have had the pleasure of his friendship and interactions. I
can narrate more incidents , actually lessons , but that is for another day, another blog.

It seems you are one of the Jaallraa camps of Mr Rajani. The article lacks of any logic. It is as if - every action of a successful person is applauded whereas the same by an unsuccessful person is looked down upon or criticized. I would have appreciated if you have done this idol worship of Mahaperiyava or someone more deserving. Hope you have the guts to publish this comment!

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Me...

I am an actor in Tamil Films and TV & a management Graduate from XLRI. I have acted in about a 100 Films and over 4000 TV episodes. I am also a Corporate Trainer and use movies as a tool to teach .This experiential type of learning with games,movies etc has worked well with people from all areas and levels of Management. As a Philatelist my interests are Stamps on Cinema and I have a huge collection of Stamps on this subject.I have also been instrumental in the Postal Authorities honouring several doyens of the film industry by bringing out Special Day Covers and in a few cases Postage Stamps as well.I regularly give lectures on Film related subjects and have spoken about Chennai in Cinema, Nagesh , Chandrababu, Kishore Kumar, M.R.Radha to name a few. I have written articles on Famous Film personalities in The Hindu, madras Musings, Satyam Cinema magazine etc.

About Me

I can boldly state that I am South India's only ENTERTRAINER. I use Cinema and my experience of nearly 20 Years in it to conduct Training programs and Lectures in English and TAMIL on Communication , Team Work , Leadership , Personal Growth , Planning etc. These are peppered with anecdotes and stories from the Film Industry. I use Hollywood , Bollywood and Kollywood films depending on the audience.

I also collect Postage Stamps on Cinema and my collection has been awarded a few medals at State and National level comptitions.

I give lectures on film related subjects - I have spoken to a wide variety of people from Judges of the High Court to Lovers of Cinema and Chennai City.

I am married to Padma - (since 1979) and we have two children. My son V.P.Raman is a practicing advocate and is married to Sowmyah , they are blessed with a son - my grandson - Rudra. My daughter Vidyullekha is a succesful actor in Tamil and Telugu films.

I was recently awarded "Distinguished Alumni Award" by my alma mater - XLRI , where I did my MBA - 1978 batch of PGDBM. I have also been awarded the Tamil Nadu State Govt Award for best character award.